Automatic change



July 7, 1931. R. v. WILSON AUTOMATIC CHANGE MACHINE Filed April 19. 19295 Sheets-Sheet l frz/m7 m7621221 M July 7, 1931. R v WILSON 1,813,720

AUTOMATIC CHANGE MACHINE Filed April 19, 1929 5 sheets-sheet 2'Hlllllllllllll" l l l d W' ,wss mm attouu July 7, 193 R. vy WILSON1,813,7'20

AUTOMATIC CHANGE MACHINE Filed April 19l 1929 5 sheets-sheet 5 gnvehfozfija/7117 /M'SW? 5%f *Ww July 7, 1931. R. v. WILSON AUTOMATIC CHANGEMACHINE Filed April 19. 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 @Hotmail 5 Lineas-sheet 5Filed [april 19, 1929 Ex A.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY wvrNEss; l

Patented July 7, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROLLIN WILSON, 0FMEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, ABSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF T0 SAI Ia. FRANKLIN, 0FXNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE AUTOMATIC CHANGE MACHINE Application med April 19,

This invention relates to change making machines ca able of use uponstreet cars and other u lic vehicles for the purposev of receivingeposited fares, delivermg change when such change is necessary andregisterin the number of fares deposited.

ome street railway companies provide change makin machines in which theoperator places t e fare and where change is necessary, he secures thechange through the hand operation of suitable levers which release coinsof different denominations. For example, if a twenty-five cent coin isdeposited in the machine and the rate of fare is seven cents, themachine returns one metal fare check or token, three one cent coins, oneten cent coin and one five cent coin. Change is deposited in thepassengers hand and he must se arate the fare check from the balance oft e coins and drop the check in the fare box.

The operator (the motorman of the car Where one man cars are operated)must observe this procedure throu h glass windows in the box in order tosee t at the passenger has deposited the correct coin. He must then pusha small lever to drop the coin into the money compartment of the box andthese coins must be retrieved to be again used as change. rlhis iseffected by turning a small crank which runs the coins through theregister mechanism and by taking the coins out of the return receptacleof the fare box. The coins and fare checks or tokens must be againseparated and placed separately in the hand operated change makingmachine.

Many of these operations must necessarily be done while the car is inmotion so that the attention of the motorman is diverted from theoperation of the car. This naturally lowers his efiiciency and ishazardous to the safe and proper operation of the car.

The present invention overcomes these and many other disadvantageousfeatures by providing a machine, which upon the insertion of a coin orcoins of a given amount, will operate a register, and where the amountof the-coin or coins is in excess ol such sum the machine willautomatically re- 1929. vsensu No. 356,439.

turn the proper change without attention by the motorman or otheroperator of the car. Another object of the invention is the provision ofa machine `which will be autooperation of the vehicle in order to seethatv the passenger has deposited his fare.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a machine in whichcoins of different denominations are received in separate receptaclesand utilized for making change, means being provided for operating awarnin signal when the coins are nearly exhauste and for o erating anadditional signal `when any ci) the receptacles are empty.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further includesthe following novel features and details of construction, to behereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings and pointed out in the appended claims.

Figure l is an end view of a machine constructed in accordance with theinvention.

Figure 2 is a front view.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyon the line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a like view taken substantially on the line 4--1 of Figure1.

Figures 5 and 6 are enlarged fragmentary sections taken respectively onthe lines 55 and 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a detail perspective view o the single coin ejector for theve cent receptacle.

Figure 8 is a like view of the double :0in ejector for the five centreceptacle.

Figure 9 is a diagram of the electric circuits.

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like characters of referencedenote corres onding arts, the reference character 10 in icates a ousingof suitable size and shape to -contain a number of separate coinreceptacles for receiving coins of different value. Six receptacles areshown, but it is obvious that the invention need not be restricted toany particular .number of rece tacles.

he receptacles as stated are designed to receive coins of differentvalues, the receptacle 11 receiving one `cent coins or pennies, thereceptacle 12 receiving dimes, the receptacle 13 quarters, thereceptacle 14 fifty cent pieces, and the receptacle 15 nickels. Thereceptacles are of a proper size so that the coins will be stacked oneupon the other and the coins are directed into these receptacles throughcoin chutes 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a, and 15a respectively. The chutes 12a,13a and 14a are open at the top as indicated at 12b, 13b and 14b, whilethe chutes 11a and 15a are provided with hoppers 11b and 15b, resectivel In ad ition, the housing contains a receptacle 16 which isadapted to receive one dollar coins or tokens which are deposited in.

the said receptacle through a chute 16a Whose upper open end isindicated at 1Gb.

Each of the coin chutes is closed1by an angular extension 17 at one endof a lever 18. These levers are ivotally mounted as shown at 19 and areyieldingly held in position so that the extension 17 will close thechute, by means of a spring 20. The extensions 17 of the levers 18entei` the chutes through openin s 2l provided in one Wall of thechutes. Ighe levers 18 are also provided at their upper ends withangular extensions 22 which are adapted to enter the chutes throughopenings 23 so as to close the chutes in a manner and for a purpose tobe resently described.

Eacli) of the coin receptacles 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 is rovided in itsbottom with a dischar e out et 24 which is controlled by a pivotal ymounted ejector 25. These ejectors are of the thickness of one coin andhave an opening of the diameter of the coin and when-pivotally movedwill eject a single coin. In the receptacle ll for the one cent coins,the ejector may be of a thickness to eject more than one coin. Forexample, when the machine is used upon a car with a seven cent fare andten cen is deposited, the ejector for the one cent receptacle will be ofa thickness to eject three one cent coins. Also, the receptacle 15 forthe ive cent coins may be arranged to eject either a single five centcoin, or three five cent coins according to circumstances.

For this purpose, the ejecting mechanism for the five cent coinreceptacle which is shown in detail in Figures 5 and 6 consists .of anejector 26 for a single ive cent coin and an ejector 27 for two fivecent coins. These ejectors are 'pivotally' mounted as shown at 28 andhave extending therefrom spaced lugs 29 which receive the upper end' 30of arms 31, one of which is positione\ being yieldingly held againstpivotal movenient by a sprin 34. This spring acts to hold the ejectors1n normally retracted position, while solenoids 35 and 36 have theircores pivotally connected with the levers 33 and lwhen energized willmove the levers pivotally to operate the ejectors. f

The ejected coins from the receptacles will be received within a chute37 and directed into a deliveryy receptacle 38 from which the passengermay remove them. In addition, the insertion of coins of a. given amount(for example seven cents) will close a circuit through a registermechanism 39 and a bell or other alarm device 40', so that each farepaid will be registered and the bell will be operated to directattention to the insertion of the fare. In addition, indicating meansare provided for indicating the approximate number of coins within thecoin rece tacles so that the receptacles may be refille before beingentirely emptied and should the latter inadvertently occur additionalsignals are provided for indicating the fact that the receptacles areempty.

For this pur ose lamps 40 are provided to I indicate that t e supply/ofcoins is running low While lam s 41 provide indicating means that thesupp y of coins within a particular receptacle has become entirelyexhausted.

As the coin receptacles must contain coins to be used in making change,means are provided for filling these rece tacles without operating thereglster 39 or the bell 40". In addition, the invention also providesmeans Whereb all of the receptacles may be emptied wlthout insertingcoins into the coin chutes. For this purpose the invention provides aswitch 42 havinv arcuate-shaped contact strips A and B and contacts C,D, E, F, G and H, together with suitable bridge elements K and L forbridging these contacts to selectively control circuits to operate themachine as stated.

The contacts A and B are connected by conductors 43 and 44 respectivelyto a suitable source of current such as a battery 45 while a conductor46 connects the contact D with the bell 41 and the latter is in turnconnected by means of a contact 47 with the register 39. This registeris in electricalv being one of these magnets for each of the levers 18.By reference to the diagram shown in Figure 9 it will be seen that eachof the levers 18 is provided with an armature 51 which is located in thepath of a magnet 50 so that when this ma et is energized, the lever 18will be move against the action of the spring 20 to withdraw the angularextension 17 from the chute.

While six coin chutes are illustrated in the drawings only four areshown in the diafA gram, namely, the chutes for the one cent, ten cent,five cent, and twenty-five cent coins. The operation of the levers 18for the fifty cent coins and one dollar coins is the same as thetwenty-five cent coin chute.

The magnet 50 of the twenty-five cent coin chute is connected by aconductor 52 to the magnet 50 of the five cent coin chute and this lastmentioned magnet is connected by means of a conductor 53 withI themagnet of the ten cent coin chute. Likewise, this last mentioned magnetis connected by means of a conductor 54 with the magnet 50 of the onecent chute, while this last referred to magnet is connected by means ofa conductor 55 with a yieldable contact 56 which is mounted u on andinsulated from the chute 11a. T e contact 56 extends into an openingprovided in the chute 11a While a similar contact 57 extends throughanother opening provided in the chute above the contact 56. The contact57 is connected by means of a conductor 58 with the contact C of theswitch 42.

Assuming that the fare to be paid amounts to seven cents and sevenpennies are inserted in the chute 11a, the first penny inserted willengage the angular extension 17 of the arm 18 and will be held againstmovement until the entire seven pennies have been placed within thechute. As soon as this occurs, current will flow from the battery 45through the conductor 44, the contact B, the bridge L, the contact C,theconductor 58, the contact 57, the coins within the chute 11a, thecontact 56, the conductor 55, the magnets 50, the conductor 51', theregister 39, the conductor 47, the bell 40', the conductor 46, thecontact D, the bridge K, the contact A and back to the batter throughthe conductor 43; As all of t e magnets 50 will then be energized, thearmatures of the levers 18 will be attracted so that these levers willbe moved pivotally to release the pennies as stated while the angularextensions 22 of the levers 18 will move into the chutes and prevent theinsertion of any additional coins until the magnets 50 are de-energized.This will occur through the interruption of the circuit by the passageof the coins into the receptacle 11. The levers 18 will then assumetheir normal positions under the ac tion of the springs 20.

The chute 15a for the live cent coins is provided with spaced contacts59 and 60 which extend `into openings provided in the chute in the pathof the coins. The contact 59 is connected by means of a conductor 61with a conductor 62 which is tapped onto the conductor 58 while thecontact 60 is connected by a conductor 63 with a contact 64 which iscarried by and extends into the chute 11a in the path of the coinswithin the chute. Y

Should a nickel and two pennies be inserted in pa ment of a seven centfare, a circuit will completed from the battery through the switch 42,the current travelling from the contact C through the conductor 58, theconductor 62, the conductor 61, the contact 59, the coin, the contact60, the conductor 63, the contact 64, the two coins Within the chute11a, the contacts 56, the conductor 55, the magnets 50, the conductor 51and back to the switch through the register 39 and bell 40.

As previously stated, the receptacle 15 for the five cent coins isprovided with two solenoids 35 and 36 to control the discharge of coinsthrough this receptacle, While the receptacles 11, 12 and 13 are eachprovided with a solenoid 65. When the solenoids 65 are energized, theejector 25 will be actuated to deliver a single coin from either thereceptacle 12 or 13, or three coins from the receptacle 11. Thus, shouldtwo nickels be Iinserted in the chute 15a, the mechanism would operateto actuate the register 39 and the si nal 40 as reviously explained, and1n ad ition, the eJcctor 25 of the receptacle 11 would be actuated todeliver three pennies change. For this purpose, the chute 15a hasmounted thereon a spring contact 66 which 1s connected by means of aconductor 67 Wlth the solenoid 65 which controls the discharge of coinsfrom the receptacle 11. The ejector of the chutell would be movedpivotally in the manner previously described todischarge and deliverthree pennies.

Should a dime be inserted in the chute 12a in payment of a seven centfare, this dime would bridge contacts 67 and 68. This first mentionedcontact is connected by a conductor 69 with the `conductor 62 while thecontact 68 is connected by a conductor 70 with the conductor 67 so thata circuit would be closed through the magnet 65 of the receptacle 11 anddeliver three pennies as previously explained. A circuit would also becompleted through each of the magnets 50 through a conductor 71 whichconnects the solenoid 65 of the receptacle 11 with the magnet 50 of thelever 18 which controls the chute 11a. As all of the magnets 50 areconnected in series, all of the levers 18 will be actuated as previouslydescribed. This manner of energizing the magnets 50 upon the insertionof two nickels will also occur.

Should a coin of the denomination of twenty-live cents be inserted inthe chute 13a it will bridge contacts 72 and, 73. This first mentionedcontact is connected to the conductor 62, while the contact 63 is connected by means of a conductor 74 with. the solenoid 35 of the recetacie 15 which con tains `five cent coins; T 1e solenoid 35 is connectedby a conductor 7 5 with a solenoid 65, while a conductor 76 connects thesolenoid 65 with a stationary contact 77. This con tact is adapted tobeen'fagedby a contact 78 which is connected by a conductor 79 with thesolenoid 65 of the receptacle 11. The contacts 77 and 78 are separatedby coins within the receptacle 12, and are only.

closed when the receptacle 12 is empty.

Vhen a twenty-five cent coin is inserted, current will fiow from theswitch L through the conductor 58, the conductor 62, the contact 72, thecoin within the chute 13a, the contact 73, the conductor 74, thesolenoid 35, the conductor 75, the solenoid 65 of the receptacle 12, theconductor 76, the conductor 79, the solenoid 65 of the receptacle 11,the conductor 71, a conductor 80 and through the magnets 50 and back tothe switch through the conductor 51', the register 39 and the signal 40.The solenoid 35 will thus be actuated to deliver a nickel from thereceptacle 15, while the solenoids 65 of the receptacles 12 and 11 willbe operated to deliver a dime and three pennies into the receptacle 38.

In the event that the ten cent receptacle 12 is empty, three nickelswill be delivered from the receptacle 15. For this purpose the contact78 is mounted upon one end o an arm 81 which is ivotally mounted asshown at 82 and has 1ts other end adapted to extend into the receptacle12 through a suitable slot provided in said receptacle. As the outer orcontact end of the arm 81 is heavier than the inner or lower end, thecontact 78 will engage the contact 77 and complete a shunt circuit throuh the solenoid 36 through the medium o conductors 82 and 83. As both thesolenoid 35 and the solenoid 36 will be energized, three nickels will bedelivered from the receptacle 15. The magnet 50 of the chute 13a willactuate the lever 18 to release the coin whilethe other magnets 50 willoperate their respective levers to close the other chutes.

The insertion of a fifty cent coin Within the chute 14a will returnforty-three cents change, while the insertion of a coin of the value ofone dollar will return ninety-three cents change. As the o eration forthe fifty cent coin and the one ollar coin is similar to the operationpreviousl described it is not believed necessary to urther illustrate ordescribe the same.4

When the coins within yany of the receptacles except, the receptacle 16reach a predetermined number, the warning lam 40 of the particularreceptacle will be lig ted.

For this pur ose each of the receptacles carries a pivota 1y mounted arm84 which carries a contact 85. This contact is normally spaced from astationar contact 86 and is held in spaced relation y the coins Withinthe receptacle. However, when the coins fall below the lower end of thearm 84, the latter is permitted to enter the receptacle through a slotprovided therein so that the contacts and 86 engage. When this occurs,current will flow from the switch through the conductor 58 and throuo'hthe lamp 40 of the particular receptacle, the lamp being connected in aconductor 87 which connects the contact 85 with a conductor 88. Thestationary contacts 86 are connectedto a conductor 89 by conductors 90,while current flows from the conductor 89 back to the switch 42 througha con-v ductor 91 which is tapped onto the conductor 46.

In addition, each of thereceptacles 11, 13, 14 and 15 is provided withcontacts 77 and 78', which are similar to the contacts 77 and 78 and arecontrolled by coins within the receptacles. The contacts 7 8 haveconnected thereto-conductors 92 in which are included lamps 41, whilethe conductors 92 are connected to a conductor 93. The contacts 77 forreceptacles 13 and 15 are connected to a conductor 94 by conductors 95and the conductor 94 is connected to the conductor 58. Contact 77 forreceptacle 11 is connected to conductor 58 by a conductor 96.

Should any of the receptacles 11, 13, 14 or 15 become empty, theycontacts 77 and 7 8 would close so that current would flow from theswitch 42 through the conductor 58, the conductor 96'to the contact 77of the receptacle 11, the contact 78, the lam 41. From the lamp 41,current lowsthrouv the conductor 92, the conductor 93, a conductor 97 tothe coil 5Q of the chute 11a and from this coil to the coils 50 of theother chutes through conductors 98, 99 and 100. From. the coil 50 of thechute 13a, current lows through a conductor 101 to the conductor 89,returning to the switch 42 through the conductor 91, which is tappedonto the conductor 46 between the switch and the bell 40', so that thisbell and the indicator 39 is eliminated from this circuit. From this rosit will be seen that when the penny recepl tacle 11 is empty its signallamp 41 will be illuminated and all of the coin chutes will be closed sothat no coins may be inserted.

Should the coins in any of the'other receptacles become exhausted theircontacts 77 and 78 will be closed after the vmanner of the contactsemployed in connection with the receptacle 11,/the only exception beingthe receptacle 12 for the ten cent coins. The

contacts 77 and 78 of the receptacle 12 close to insure the discharge oftwo nickles from :,siavao the rece tacle 15, as previously described.

Shoul the coins of the five cent, twentyfive cent etc. receptacles'become exhausted, the contacts 77 and 78 of the particular receptacleinvolved will be closed. Taking for example, the five cent receptacle orthe receptacle- 15, current will flow from the switch 42 through theconductor 58, the conductor 94, the conductor 95, the contacts 7 7 and78', the conductor 92 and lamp 41, the conductor 93, the conductor 97and the coils 50 after the manner previously stated. From the last coil50 current will flow throu h the conductor 101, the conductor 89 ancglthe conductor 91 back to the switch.

In order to facilitate refilling the machine provision is made forintermittently operating all of the levers 18 so that the coins willpass through the chutes into the receptacles without operating theregister 39 or the si nal 40. For this purpose a conductor wire 102 istapped onto the conductor wire 101 and is connected to a vibrator 103and this vibrator is connected to the contact FI of the switch 42, thiscontact being connected with the contact A by means of the bridge K.

The bridge L connects the contact B with the contact E. This lastmentioned contact is connected by means of a conductor 104 with aconductor 105 which has connected thereto a conductor 106 havingconnection with the conductor 97. Current will then flow yfrom* theswitch 42 through the conductors just mentioned and through each of themagnets 50, returning to the switch through the conductors 101, 102 andthe vibrator 103. The coil of the vibrator will then be energized sothat the magnets 50 will be intermittently operated to alternately openand'close the coin chutes to Apermit of the passage of coins throughthese chutes to the receptacles.

In addition to automatically opening a particular coin receptacle orcombination of receptacles to deliver change, the invention alsoprovides means for opening all of the receptacles 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15so that the contents of the receptacles may be deposited into thedelivery receptacle 38. A suitable door -107 is lprovided or obtainingaccess to the contents of the receptacle 16.

To empty the receptacles 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, the solenoids'35 and 65are connected in circuit with a vibrator 108. This vibrator is connectedto the last solenoid 65 (which is the solenoid shown in connection withthe receptacle '13 in Figure 9 of the drawings) by a conductor 109. Thevibrator is connected by a conductor 110 with the contact G of theswitch 42. The contact H of this switch is connected by a conductor 111with the solenoid 65 of the receptacle 11.

When the bridge L is positioned to connect the contacts B and G and thebridge K positioned to connect the contacts A and H, current will flowfrom the contact H of the switch through the conductor 111'to the coil65 of the receptacle 11 and from this coil through the conductor 79 tothe conductor 76, the coil 65 of the receptacley 12, the conductor 75,the coil 35, the conductor 112, the coil 65, the conductor 109, the coilof the vibrator 108 and back to the switch throu h the conductor 110.The vibrator will t en operate to intermittently energize the solenoids35 and 65 to empty the receptacles.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description and accompanyingdrawings that t e invention provides a machine into which the exactamount of the fare may be deposited through a number of coins of asingle denomination or a combination of coins, and when Adeposited willoperate a register to indicate the number of fares. In

addition, the machine will operate to-sound.

out operating the register of the signal device. In addition to theforegoing, the invention provides means for operating a signal toindicate the fact that the coins in one or more receptacles are nearlyexhausted, while additional signals are provided'/ which are actuatedwhen one or more of the coi 'receptacles are completely empty.

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportionsand minor details of construction `and the right is herein reserved tomake such changes as properly fall within the scope of the appendedclalms.

Having described the invention what is claimed 1s:

1.. In a machine of the character described, a housing, separate coinreceptacles therein, each receptacle being adapted to receive coins of agiven value, individual coin chutes for said receptacles, means normallyclosing the chutes to prevent the passage of coins from said chutes intothe recepcontrolled means including the means for normally closin thechutes to intermittentl open' the c utes to ill the receptacles,

2. ln a machine of the character described, a housing, separate coinreceptacles therein, each receptacle being adapted to receive coins of agiven value, individual coin chutes for said receptacles, means normallyclosing the chutes to prevent the passage of coms from said chutes intothe receptacles, electrically controlled means to operate thechuteclosing means to permit of the passage of coins into thereceptacles, electrically operated means controlled by the coins withinthe chutes to discharge coins from the receptacles, electricallycontrolled means including the means for normally closing the chutes tointermittently open the chutes to fill the receptacles, and electricallycontrolled means to discharge all of the coins from the receptacles.

3. In a machine of the character described, a housing, separate coinreceptacles therein, each receptacle being adapted to receive coins of agiven value, individual coin chutes for sald receptacles, means normallyclosing the chutes to prevent the passage of coins from said chutes intothe receptacles, electrically controlled means to o crate the chuteclosing means to permit o the passage of coins into the receptacles,electrically controlled means including the means for normally closinthe chutes to intermittently open the c utes to fill the receptacles.,electricall operated means controlled by the coins witliin the chutes todischarge coins from the receptacle, electrically controlled means todischarge all of the coins from the receptacles, and selective means tocontrol the operation of the chute closing means, the chute fillingmeans and the receptacle discharging means.

4. In a machine ofthe character described, a housing, separate coinreceptacles therein,

feach receptacle being adapted to receive coins of a given value,individual coin chutes for said,l receptacles, levers pivotally mountedadjacent the chutes and adapted to have eithercf their ends extendedinto the chutes to prevent the passage of coins therethrough, means toyieldmgl hold one of the ends of the levers within t e chutes, meansoperable upon the insertion of coins of a given value to move the leverspivotall and position their other ends within the c utes, and means tointermittently operate the lever moving means, and means operated byinserted coins to discharge.v coins from the receptacle.

In testimony whereof l affix my signature.

ROLLIN WILSON.

